South Tampa Chamber Recognizes 927th Mechanic

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
TAMPA, Fla. --  On the top floor of a hotel, South Tampa's business leaders gather regularly for a luncheon at the Centre Club here. It is an opportunity for them to network, keep current on business practices, and recognize achievements. Jumar Garcia was easy to pick out of the crowd of well-dressed businesspeople - he was the only one wearing cammies.

Technical Sgt. Jumar Garcia is an achiever, but not the kind that makes more money for his company. His work ensures everything goes smoothly when airplanes travelling hundreds of miles an hour link up thousands of feet in the air for refueling on combat missions. Because he excels at representing the Air Force Reserve both on and off-duty, he was presented with the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee's Servicemember of the Month award this Wednesday.

Teresa Foss, chairperson of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee was on hand to present Garcia with the award during the luncheon. She said that Garcia was responsible for getting an aircraft ready to go a full 24 hours ahead of schedule. In addition, she said the pneudraulic mechanic designed and implemented a training program for his section that ensured 100 percent compliance on an inspection.

Garcia was also recognized for his off-duty work. He is on his way to earning a Community College of the Air Force degree and volunteers at the local VA hospital and with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

While many of the business leaders present at the luncheon were highly successful in their careers, only Garcia received a standing ovation. All present understood their country and community were better because of the only person there dressed in cammies.